Nightwisher's New Luxman's Room and Beyond

[Nightwisher]

Are they a little more even sounding after the redone?

There are a lot of crossover options for Altec horn systems too. Sometimes modern crossovers can make a huge difference.

They're definitely improving, especially as the "new" woofers loosen up. Bass is much better now. The midrange is still a tad hot, but I listened to them all day yesterday without switching to the KEFs or adding the Canton sub in. They bring a sense of realism that none of my other speakers can match, might be my new favorite.

 

[asilker]

Horns definitely sound different, there's a kinetic thing that's hard to describe. Check this thread out, the folks here are talking about a new Celestion CD that covers 300hz-20k. Wild. https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/380268-modern-format-horns-whats.html

 

[Nightwisher]

Acquired a rare pair of JBL L212s for the Zus. Just the satellites, they sound very nice.

 

[Nightwisher]

And my new favorites, Canton Reference 9.2 DC. Incredible imaging and detail, better than the LS50s. They just about match the Altecs in scale. The Canton subwoofer is there, but these produce more than enough bass.

 

[Nightwisher]

Now that the main speakers are settled, I traded the LS50s for a tube preamp that was made just down the road in North Augusta, a Joule Electra LA-100. Sounds sweet so far.

 

[lightcapture]

I like the progression of your system. A tube power amp in the future? Are the Zu gone?
Recapping the Altecs w/ Sonicaps will help to smooth the sound. Once you get used to horns its hard to go back. I have Klipsch Forte and the quickness and air its addicting. I also have DIY Seas Froy Mk3 speaker kits, so having two different styles of speakers is fun to switch around from time to time...or have 2 systems, tubes and horns/SS and dynamic drivers.

 

[Nightwisher]

I like the progression of your system. A tube power amp in the future? Are the Zu gone?
Recapping the Altecs w/ Sonicaps will help to smooth the sound. Once you get used to horns its hard to go back. I have Klipsch Forte and the quickness and air its addicting. I also have DIY Seas Froy Mk3 speaker kits, so having two different styles of speakers is fun to switch around from time to time...or have 2 systems, tubes and horns/SS and dynamic drivers.

I'm definitely looking for a tube amp to play with. Yeah the Zus are gone.

 

[lightcapture]

Wonder what it would cost to have the Joule pre upgraded to mk3.

 

[Nightwisher]

Last score of the year:

Radian Research 8.2dp

 

[Nightwisher]

Updated my surround sound receiver after a few years: Yamaha RX-A2A. Working great for me thus far, looks very sleek.

Stumbled across a pair of Klipsch RF-3II in a thrift store yesterday. They sound excellent, filling my want for horns since the Altec Model 14s got sold. 3D and dynamic, not fatiguing like some other Klipsch. A bit rough in spots, but I can't complain for the price.

I'm also now using a Plex server for my music. My desktop is the server, playing on my laptop but controlled by my phone. Very cool.

 

[luxmaster]

Those speaker definitely compliments your space

 

[Nightwisher]

Those speaker definitely compliments your space

Thanks!

Just found a pair of spikes for them off a pair of Mirage Omni stands I had lying around, sharpened up the sound a bit.

 

[lightcapture]

My head is spinning how fast you turn over your gear.
Altecs gone...sad. Where's the Joule preamp?

 

[Nightwisher]

My head is spinning how fast you turn over your gear.
Altecs gone...sad. Where's the Joule preamp?

I was sad to see the Altecs go, however someone drove all the way from Georgia with a big stack of cash to get them.

I still have the Joule. It does sound very nice, but the difference between that and the preamp inside my Luxman isn't enough to justify losing remote control.

Yeah things do move quickly around here.

 

[Nightwisher]

One week in with the Klipsch, still loving the clear, dynamic sound. I did some upgrades:

Simplyspeakers had the next version of the woofers available, so now they look much better and no dents in the metal.

Also upgraded the binding posts.

Pondering active biamping next

 

[asilker]

I know this is going to make me sound like a grouch, so sorry in advance... But that looks like a lot of force on your red cable

 

[Nightwisher]

I know this is going to make me sound like a grouch, so sorry in advance... But that looks like a lot of force on your red cable

Not really, just the cable's own weight.

 

[Nightwisher]

Next project: RCA SPK 380t. A nice Onkyo clone.

Canton Reference 9.2s are in the living room now.

 

[Nightwisher]

I've spent the past couple weeks experimenting. A goal is to see how budget I can make the system without losing enjoyment. The key right now is two components:

Onkyo A-9010 Integrated Amplifier. Absolutely stellar sound. Seriously one of the best amps I've had.

Rogers LS6. Quite neutral and image very well to the point of disappearing. They have finesse and rock well in my room. I love speakers with classic Vifa tweeters, and they always seem to have good depth.

That's $700 of investment down from nearly $5k with the Luxman / Cantons. I still have those of course (and a closet full of other gear). Quite amazed at what these can do

 

[Nightwisher]

RCA SPK 380Ts (Onkyo clones) have been refoamed. The woofers are an odd size, so I had to use an 11" kit from Simplyspeakers and trim the outer edge. They sound great!